It's been a month since Llana's audition, and she rarely visits the company. She only goes when her trainers need to give her new exercises, diet routines, or evaluate her progress, which is done weekly in private. Usually, evaluations are every three months alongside other trainees, but since Llana is new and joining the survival show, they need to ensure she stays on track.
Llana has a custom-built underground dance and music studio at home, so she doesn't have to share the company's practice room with other trainees.
Today, her trainers requested her presence at the company's girls' training room, as the casting for the survival show was taking place. The announcement of the trainees selected for the show was imminent.
The training room buzzed with the usual pre-session chatter, but today, a new presence caught everyone's attention.
Llana, a recent addition to the trainee program, stood off to the side, exuding a calm and noble aura that set her apart. Her composed demeanor and graceful posture left the other trainees feeling a mix of awe and unease.
They watched her with a sense of reverence, hesitating to approach her as her strong presence created an invisible barrier.
"Who is she? Do you know her, Dahyun-ni?" a cute, short girl asked the girl beside her, Dahyun, curiously.
"I don't know either, Chaeyoung. Why don't we talk to her? She looks so lonely standing there alone," Dahyun replied, her eyes lighting up with an idea as she dragged Chaeyoung towards Llana.
"Hello! My name is Kim Dahyun, and this is Chaeyoung. What's your name?" A girl as white as tofu named Dahyun approaches Llana, greeting her cheerfully in broken English.
"Hello, I'm Llana Kim. Nice to meet you both," Llana responded, bowing politely.
"Oh, you're Korean! That makes things easier!" Dahyun joked, pretending to wipe non-existent sweat from her temple, making Llana giggle.
Dahyun and Chaeyoung were stunned by her cute laugh and smiled at each other, realizing she wasn't as cold as she appeared.
"I'm part Korean," Llana explained.
"You have another heritage? What else?" Chaeyoung asked, joining the conversation.
"I'm half Korean, a quarter Filipino, and a quarter American," Llana answered.
"Daebak!" Dahyun exclaimed, her eyes wide, while Chaeyoung's jaw dropped a little. It was the first time they had met someone with three different heritages.
"How old are you? You're so tall," Chaeyoung inquired.
"I'm turning 16 this year."
"Same! My birthday is April 23, 1999," Chaeyoung said excitedly, but then paused. Another person my age, and taller than me? Ugh, really? Why does everyone seem taller? Maybe I can still catch up. There's still hope, isn't there? Right?
Dahyun said, "I'm May 28, 1998,' with a big smile, unaware of the girl next to her going through an internal crisis.
"Then you're both my unnies. I'm on August 27, 1999," Llana replied.
Suddenly, the training room door swung open, interrupting their conversation as three trainers stepped in. Their commanding presence instantly drew the trainees' focus. The room fell silent.
"Good afternoon, everyone," one of the trainers began, his tone serious. "We have some important news to share. There will be a new survival reality show, originally called 'Sixteen,' where sixteen trainees will compete for a spot in the new girl group TWICE that the company is launching."
The trainees exchanged excited and anxious glances, the anticipation in the room palpable.
"However," the trainer continued, "we've decided to add one more trainee to the mix. So, instead of sixteen, there will be seventeen trainees competing."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the room as the trainer continued, "When your name is called, please step forward."
The trainees' faces were a mix of nervousness and determination, the atmosphere tense as everyone silently prayed to be called.
"First name... I'm Nayeon, please step forward."
The girl named Im Nayeon stepped forward nervously, a big sigh of relief washing over her.
"Lee Chaeryeong..."
"Hirai Momo, Son Chaeyoung."
Chaeyoung sighed in relief, the tension finally leaving her body. She glanced at Llana and Dahyun, mouthing "good luck" before stepping forward. Dahyun and Llana smiled at her and congratulated her.
"Lee Chaeyeon..."
"Kim Dahyun..."
...
Llana patiently waited for her name to be called. She wasn't nervous like the others because she already knew she was on the list.
"Park Jihyo... lastly,"
When the trainers reached the final name on their list, there was a brief pause.
"Llana Kim," the trainer announced.
A wave of confusion swept through the room. The trainees looked around, bewildered. Llana hadn't been on their radar, and her name was unfamiliar to many, including Jihyo, the oldest trainee, who had been with the company for ten years and had never heard of Llana before.
Jihyo's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She exchanged glances with her fellow trainees, who were equally puzzled. Llana, standing quietly in the corner, felt the weight of the room's collective gaze as she stepped forward, her composure unshaken by the sudden shift in attention.
Ignoring their stares, Llana stepped forward. Chaeyoung and Dahyun greeted her with a hug, "Llana, we all made it!"
The other trainees, still processing the news, watched in silence, feeling a mix of sadness and jealousy at not being included. Some cried, hugging their friends, while others stood rooted in place, trying to come to terms with their disappointment.
"Congratulations to everyone," the trainer said to the seventeen girls, then turned to the remaining trainees. "To those who weren't called, please don't see this as a failure. You're all still young and have bright futures ahead. Keep working hard."
The trainees couldn't help tearing up at his words.
"Everyone except the seventeen can leave now. Thank you for your time," the trainer concluded. The trainees bowed and thanked him.
"Congratulations again!"
"Thank you, trainer-nim," the selected trainees responded, bowing.
"Now, we need to record a dance opening for the show. You have a week to perfect the choreography. I'll be teaching you," the trainer informed them.
---
Last Day of Practice Before Recording
The choreographer clapped his hands and pointed out everyone's positions. "Alright, everyone, listen up! This opening dance is your first impression on the audience, so we need to nail it. Keep your energy up, hit every beat, and most importantly, show your charisma. Let's start! We're almost there; we just need to perfect it!"
The choreographer began the count, "Five, six, seven, eight!"
"Minyoung, what are you doing? You're stepping wrong! It's supposed to go like this!" the choreographer shouted at Minyoung in frustration, demonstrating the move. "Again, from the top!"
The music blasted through the speakers, a high-energy track that immediately filled the room with intensity. The participants moved in perfect synchronization, their bodies flowing with the rhythm. Llana led with powerful movements, setting the tone for the group. Momo, known for her sharp dance skills, added extra flair to her steps.
As they continued, the choreographer watched closely, occasionally shouting corrections.
"Tzuyu, lift your chin! Sana, more energy in the arm movements! Mina, you're doing well, keep it up!"
"That's it, Dahyun, I like the energy and confidence!"
...
"And that's a wrap, everyone. Come back tomorrow at 7 a.m. for the recording," the choreographer clapped his hands, signaling the end of practice. The trainees slumped to the floor, too tired to care about their appearances.
"I'm so tired! My whole body is numb!" Nayeon whined.
"Stop acting like a kid, you're the oldest here," Jeongyeon teased, making the others chuckle.
"Yah! Jeongyeon, you're so mean!" Nayeon cried out indignantly.
"You two, please behave!" Jihyo scolded the two oldest members, sighing helplessly as they bickered like children.
Meanwhile, Llana, Chaeyoung, and Dahyun huddled together in a corner, chatting while they rested. Over the past six days, they had grown closer. Chaeyoung and Dahyun were always together, and now with Llana, they were an inseparable trio.
Llana was surprised at how distant the other trainees were from them, despite Chaeyoung and Dahyun's friendly nature. Occasionally, Dahyun would approach Tzuyu, a trainee with stunning visuals, almost as tall as Llana.
Llana couldn't help but laugh whenever Dahyun would approach the Taiwanese girl and say "I love you," the only Chinese word she knew, making Tzuyu blush in embarrassment.